What non F-body project are you working on? Options

[ESPCamaro]

I bought an 88 Suzuki Samurai in October.
Should be a fun off-road truck.

Probably all I will do at first is a bunch of armor stuff-gas tank, t-case, rock sliders, cage. Swap to 5.14 gears with mini spool in the rear.
Re-do the brakes, new cheap shocks (may even skip this) and get the engine working flawlessly (since getting stranded in the woods would be REALLY bad.

I figure if it's something we like I'll get more radical with it.

AFAIK Sgarnett and Judd are the only ones here that are remotely interested in something like this.

[02midevil]

A Cad 500 powered ugly big body 1977 Malibu.

Motor is medium-wild with what was 350hp and 500+ tq, before bigger cam and ported heads.
Rear is a peg leg 2.56 gears.
Trans is th400.
Body is semi worn with old paint.

It broke the bank last year so this year its running or its gone/sold by April 1st.

I was shooting for 170mph in the mile in NC or TX. But now it better just be running.

Oh yeah the real fun project for my 5 year old son :leaving: :
Mount the body and move the pedals on an old racing kart-w/a new brigsNstratton Raptor. My 5 year old can already counter steer a slide (I know drift) and do donuts. He has only practiced steering no pedals yets. Need to gear it down so the top speed isn't 70-80mph :drive: .

This post has been edited by 77chevy: Dec 28 2005, 02:00 PM

[John Boelte]

A Samurai does sound like fun! Living in the city of Indianapolis, I don't know where I could go 'wheeling. Not enough time and money for that anyway. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I'm working on an '84 Pontiac Fiero. I bought it for $200; overall it's in decent shape, but needed a lot of mechanical stuff fixed on it. I've rebuilt the hydraulic clutch system, replaced the clutch pedal (bent), throw out arm on the transmission (cracked), replaced the shifter cables, rebuilt the brake hydraulics, replaced the parking brake cable, converted the fronts to vented disk, replaced the rear struts, replaced the fuel pump and strainer, and I'm now working on the retractable headlight motors. It's nearly ready for the road. I need tires, front shocks, alternator, and exhaust. With 92HP it won't be a monster, but it should be fun. The guys on the Fiero forum (www.fiero.nl) are absolutely nuts over them. I'm looking forward to driving it. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

[patred]

See avatar. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

'92 Sentra SE-R. For you dumbestic philistines, it has a 2.0 liter, 140hp engine (non-SE-Rs of that era have a 1.6, 110hp). This is my fourth SE-R.

I bought it for autox and open-tracking. Definetely going to do a full suspension upgrade (shortened shocks, heavier springs, bars, yada yada yada) just not sure what shocks I'm going to get.

Thinking about doing an SR20VE swap. SR20VE's are kind of Nissan's answer to VTEC (Nissan calls it VVL), and of course Nissan doesn't put the engine in anything in the U.S. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) The engine makes 183 hp stock. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I may wait on this for next winter, though.

Pat

[felton316]

1987 Honda CBR, returning it from an endurance racer to everyday street life, with F4i fairings.

Building my first AR-15, just waiting on the USPS for the rest of the parts to arrive.

Building a shed in the backyard to reclaim some garage space for projects. It really sucks working in a driveway when its cold outside.

[BigEnos]

My house. It's a stone cape-cod that has been upgraded and added on to, but it still needed some work. I got tired of contributing so much to global terror by using so much fuel oil and tore out the plaster in the 2nd floor so I could insulate. There was almost none in there. Now the drywall has been done and the insulation is up, muuuucchhhh better. Heat doesn't run nearly as much and the house is a lot nicer inside. Now I just gotta paint/trim, hang ceiling fans, furnish, sand the floors.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/whip.gif)

Once that is done, it'll be time to rewire the garage so I actually have more than one 100 watt bulb in there, then once it gets warm I'll be putting up a shed and doing some light landscaping....

Shoulda bought a condo. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

[JKnight]

I too have an Se-R, a burgundy (marroon?) '93 that is patiently waiting for me to fix the transmission leak (bad seal around a sensor hopefully) and to slap on the big brake kit that I bought for it. It's going to be next year's race car. If I ever get the Camaro done, of course.

Jason

This post has been edited by JKnight: Dec 28 2005, 02:53 PM

[Mericet]

Starting to work on finishing and insulating my garage. Once that is done I will restart work on the first car in my signature.

[robz71lm7]

Well I still have to finish my 10/22. Other than that make a welding cart and finish setting up my mig welder. I also have some work to do on our 20' fish 'n ski. The outboard, 175 hp Mercury, has a bad water pump. I really miss fishing (bass, catfish, etc.).

Anyone else fish or boat?

Lonnie have you considered a lowered panhard bar on that Samurai? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[John Boelte]

I've got two boats - 14' Grumman fishing boat (Dad gave me the family fishing boat) and a 17' Sea Ray bowrider w/130 HP OMC. Probably need to redeck the Sea Ray next fall. I'm not too much into the fishing now, my kids are 7 & 9 thye don't really have the patience for it right now. We're more into running from one idle zone to the other and swimming (gotta have beer to swim (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ).

[torontoZ28]

I am renovating my sister's basement. If I had known how much dust drywalling creates, I probably would have thought twice about agreeing to help her out.

[trackbird]

Well I still have to finish my 10/22.

I just bought one of those and have been making a few changes to it. I guess I'm going to have to buy a scope and actually shoot it soon (who shoots a stock one?).

[GlennCMC70]

disapointed in you guys. your not the hard core car guys i thought you were. i do nothing but think and work on my CMC car. before that it was the 98Z.
hell, i even named my 2nd child "car"....... well really its Karlie, but close enough. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

the Samurai sounds fun. needs an LS1/T-56 swap.

[robz71lm7]

Specialization is for the animals. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[marka]

Howdy,

I'm with Brian on the house stuff...

Nearly done re-wiring the attached garage that will be the temporary workshop until we get the real workshop built (a year or two out most likely). After that, there's insulation, some carpentry/plumbing work to get a sink in there and a gas line for the heater, busting up the existing (too low & horribly cracked) floor and repouring a new one, raising the garage doors to account for the new floor height, drywall, installing a heater, then whatever bench/shelf building is needed.

When I write all that out though, I mostly just want to take a nap instead. :-)

Mark

[nape]

My boss/friend has about 3 '71 GTO/LeMans convertibles that are going to be used to restore one good car but before that project happens, he wants to do some work to his current '71 GTO convertible to make it a nicer looking cruiser.

His back is giving out on him so he needs someone to do all the "fun" work like removing the dash and where it would help to be a contortionist.

My project some time this summer is to remove the drywall in my parent's garage to insulate it, then tape/paint it since it's been yellowing for the last 15 years. It'll be a nice present for them and make it nicer to work in. I'm sick of having to run the torpedo heater so much in the winter if I want to use the garage.

[teamDFL]

Tonight the 3.0 Duratec goes into my my friend Wes's Contour SVT (originally a 2.5). I am still looking for 100% approval from the finance department before I start my f-body projects!

[35th_Anniversary...]

I bought HP+ pads for the y-body from Sam after driving a C5 conv with them.

Other than that it I am sinking $1100 into my truck on a "classified project". Maybe I'll get around to fixing the fuel sender in the tank so I know how much deisel is in there.

[trackbird]

I'm also looking at laminate flooring for the first floor of the house and planning to rebuild my home theater (new DLP, amp, processor, speakers, sub, etc). So, I'm torn between guns and home stuff.

Maybe I should sell the car after all...... :leaving:

[firehawkclone]

disapointed in you guys. your not the hard core car guys i thought you were. i do nothing but think and work on my CMC car. before that it was the 98Z.
hell, i even named my 2nd child "car"....... well really its Karlie, but close enough. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

the Samurai sounds fun. needs an LS1/T-56 swap.

I'm with you....I work on the bird for the track weekends, or i work on the RV to pull the bird to track weekends.Or i work on my truck so it looks/ run's good on my way to work were i can make $$$, so i can take the bird/ RV to the track(you getting the idea here) OR i work on my wife's car so........ (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

My first love was 4x4ing back in the day. I had a buddy then that had a samurai, everybody made fun of him in it (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) but nobody could out do him but me, in a stock chevy (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) We beat up on those raised up trucks (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[trackbird]

Glenn,

I've had about enough working on cars lately. We're still trying to get Pimpmaro's car running.....

[robz71lm7]

If I don't do other things I get burned out quickly.

[sgarnett]

Well, I spent the first two days of my vacation on a road trip to get a new high-zoot transmission, right before Christmas (dry weather so carpe diem), so I gotta lay off the car projects for a few days (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'm waiting a while to rebuild the front suspension, since it's driveable as-is.

Next on the list is, as Lonnie sort of mentioned, is an offroad VEhicle, but it's only two (very big) wheel drive. I'm attemptiong to find a carb in the center of a 40-year-old lump of crud that I removed from the intake manifold. There's still a possibility of needing to just rebuild the whole thing, but I'm hoping that with a working carb I can continue to get by without compression (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

With a toddler in the house, it takes a very long time to work through even the short list, so I don't pay much attention to what's on the long list right now (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by sgarnett: Dec 28 2005, 06:56 PM

[trackbird]

Sean, put an LS1 in it..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

Isn't everything better with an LS1 inside? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Ok, maybe it's not the best choice for a tractor.

:stupid:

[LT4Firehawk]

Major project: 88 Porsche 944 Turbo S. So far in the past year I've spent a little over $7K on it in maintenance, repairs & upgrades (headgasket, P&P head, turbo rebuild, clutch, etc). It still needs some minor bodywork/paint, new seats (or recovering the stock seats), and all new weatherstripping. Then it will be pretty much where I want it.

Minor projects:
81 Ford F100: new heater core, seat recover, new weatherstripping. I might even look into getting the AC working on it too, but probably not since it's only used for pulling the boat and making Lowes runs.
Pontoon boat: need to drag it into the shop and have the throttle linkage on the motor adjusted before spring.
Firehawk: need a new PS pump and radio. Also need to get new rails for the Recaro seats (the existing rails are starting to allow some wiggle).

[sgarnett]

Hmmm, the tractor is designed to run the engine around 2500 rpm, and it will reach almost 3000 rpm under light load (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The LS1 probably DOES have more torque at 2500 rpm than my wheezy 3 cylinder ....

[Soma07]

Tonight the 3.0 Duratec goes into my my friend Wes's Contour SVT (originally a 2.5). I am still looking for 100% approval from the finance department before I start my f-body projects!

Man, how many forum's are you on? I've seen you here, CC.com, BF.com, and I think on the GRM forum's too...

Sounds like you need a life about as much as I do (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Jeff94TA]

1974 Datsun 260Z powered by a 1996 LT1/T56 combo out of a Z28. I just couldn't resist but it should be fun. :drive: (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

I hadn't touched it in two years and finally got it down to the strip shop last week. It was taken down to bare metal and we got it in three coats of epoxy primer on Monday. I droped it off yesterday to have three rust spots welded up, seat brackets welded in and a harness bar added to the roll bar. Damn I've got a long way to go on this thing. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

(IMG:http://www.musclecarsoforlando.100megs25.com/jeff/zcar/striped.jpg)

[rpoz-29]

I'm looking seriously at an old IT-A Olds Starfire V6. Blown engine, but has a cage, halon system etc. Tons of spares and everything for around 700.00. It'll either become a vintage racer, a C/P car, a S/M car, or just another blight on my property.

[trackbird]

I'm looking seriously at an old IT-A Olds Starfire V6. Blown engine, but has a cage, halon system etc. Tons of spares and everything for around 700.00. It'll either become a vintage racer, a C/P car, a S/M car, or just another blight on my property.

Send it my way. I was down in Elkton VA over the weekend, how far away was I from it?

[rpoz-29]

It's west of Richmond in Goochland county. I haven't seen it in person yet, but hope to this weekend. In the event I pass on it, are you interested?

[trackbird]

Honestly, it's too far out and I have nowhere to put it right now, so I'll have to pass (as interesting as it sounds), but I have friends in VA who might be interested if you pass (send photos.....).

[rpoz-29]

I'm up to my neck in stuff I need to do, but this thing just sounds so....different. I have a ton of "H" body stuff around, so getting it ready isn't overwhelming. Right now, it all depends on how it looks when I see it.

[ESPCamaro]

Yeah I need to take a little break. I used to have the car/autoxing on my mind so much I just burnt out.

It's funny that the WORST 'family' truck for offroad use you can get is what I got. Oh well, I think with some creative storage ideas I can make it happen.

One thing I really want to do is make a camping/offroad trip that includes camping out on the trail/woods. I can pull it off in MI state and national forests with by applying for a camp permit (this is what you need to camp outside of designated area).
My concern is BEARS!
But that might justify a purchase of a S&W .500mag revolver which I want to bear hunt with anyhow.

[Teutonic Speedra...]

What's a non-f-body project? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Does working on my truck or trailer, which were only bought because of my f-body count? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[rmackintosh]

.....my home remodel.....still........ (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

...going on a year now.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

But my GOAL is to have it finished THIS YEAR....been working like a mutha all week....poured cement in the rain today! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/whip.gif)

[BigEnos]

1974 Datsun 260Z powered by a 1996 LT1/T56 combo out of a Z28. I just couldn't resist but it should be fun. :drive: (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

Sweet project. A guy around here just got his finished (or at least finished enough). Got it to run low 11.43@120 first time out.

(IMG:http://para.noid.org/~wayne/280.jpg)

And a pic of the launch

(IMG:http://www.emsco.net/jody/280z/Zlaunch1.jpg)

Too bad he didn't pan left just a little more! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[SS2win]

I've been building this 72 Jimmy for nearly 10 years now. I'm working on a 383 to go in it now and will be fabricating new suspension to stretch the wheelbase a little and make room for larger tires... when I got it it was a complete rust bucket. I replaced some 10-20 panels, did the body work and painted it in my driveway. lol. there is very little bondo on it and once I replace the back half of the pass rear quarter there will be next to none. lots of water down here BTW...

(IMG:http://www.florida4x4.com/images//02.07.04/image42.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.florida4x4.com/images//02.07.04/image67.jpg)

This post has been edited by SS2win: Dec 29 2005, 07:01 PM

[bobbylee]

What kinds of stuff do I have around that needs work besides the F-body?

01 Jeep awaiting a lift kit and winch that I haven't done yet.

76 Ford that I have a Gear Vendors overdrive for that needs to be installed

73 Honda drag bike that needs to be disassembled and freshened up. I'd like to gear it a little taller and take it to the Texas Mile. The thing used to run 10.5 @ 125 in the quarter.

The house and shop plus the wife's barn and hobby shop - This will probably get done - I need to get power to the barn and new storage building, set a new panel in the shop so I don't have to choose between welding and running the air compressor, and get two transfer switches set and wired for a 15kw gen set because the electric service is only half-assed and I like to be cool with cold beer in the summer. Also need to move the air compressor and make a couple of pipe connections so there'll be air at the wife's barn and outside.

[Dewey316]

I'm currently working on swapping a 10v turbo motor into a 1990 Audi 90 Quattro.

(IMG:http://cascadecrew.org/John/Audi3.jpg)

(IMG:http://cascadecrew.org/John/audi5k/acs3.jpg)

[rpoz-29]

I love that Jimmy, SS2win!

[Jeff97FST/A]

BigEnos,

What track were those pics from?

[John Boelte]

(IMG:http://www.florida4x4.com/images//02.07.04/image67.jpg)

Where did you mount the propeller?

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Crazy Canuck]

Too many:
1. house building
2. garage requirements becoming reality:
a) car-lift
B) esthetic(floor... wanna make it look great)
c) tools
3. photography:
a) thinking on getting a 2nd dig camera: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/nikond200
B) polarizer
c) Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 lens (not short term... $)
d) macro fixed lens
e) monopod (compliment the tripod, and more practical on racing events)

Love to's (but reality dictates otherwise):
1. motorcycle
2. another beater/new car
3. Vette

[Foxxtron]

Too many here as well:

1. Finalising my move to OZ. (both the Z28 and the 2003 WRX going with me as well) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)
2. Designing my future dream pad (until it's fully realised, I'm gonna continue to live like a real cheap b*****d) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)
3. Selling/donating some of my old s*** (useful non-auto related items)
4. Repair my 20+ yr.-old synths (R.I.P. Bob Moog) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
5. Complete my allocation for an Ultima GTR (It's gonna have at least some sort of LSx block, well blueprinted by yours truly). :drive:

Mad some will say? I agree, but not as barmy as the past 13 years of continuing education and cheap a** living (4 yrs. of USMC duty and training as an 03xx, 2 AS degrees, 1 double major BA, 1 2nd Bachelor's, then will start an accelerated MBA, and yes practically many of those courses from the many different civilian institutions transfered and qualified for some type of grad requirement, so not quite as much work as it sounds). (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[BigEnos]

BigEnos,

What track were those pics from?

The now deceased 75-80 Dragway. It closed this fall.

Sucks (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[jensend]

Other than the never ending maintenance of a 110yr. old house, the most time and labor intensive (non-F-body) project is my son's 1998 Neon ACR. In the past 20 months the entire car has been (unsystematically) rebuilt. This was consequent to his decision to design and instal his own Turbo charging system. We are now trouble shooting after the initial start-up and engine break-in prior to taking the car for professional dyno tuning. This thing has consumed every weekend since August! He couldn't just buy an SRT4 as we suggested!!? Oh well, at least he/we learned a good deal along the way...

[TOO Z MAXX]

If money prermits I am going to put a 6 inch lift on my new Dodge Ram, plus some new Weld wheels and 37 inch tall tires, maybe 35's.

[v7guy]

I'm not sure if it's a project, but I've been begining to finalize the logistics of moving from DFW to NYC. Figuring out where the car and tools are going for a few months until I get everything settled on the east coast (where is the garage going to be?!?!?!). Working with the gf relatives on the remodel for the place etc. as well as line up the new job.
This little gun addiction has given me something to focus on other than the car, and it's a bit cheaper so far, have been working every weekend for the past couple of months on target practice.
Been working on some more art so I can have my first gallery showing, that will probably carry me through the winter.
Also been considering quiting one of the jobs and going back to school to finish up my fine arts major, not sure if I'm ready to add that to the heap though.

[Jeff97FST/A]

BigEnos,

What track were those pics from?

The now deceased 75-80 Dragway. It closed this fall.

Sucks (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Deceased, eh? Too bad. I used to go there when I was in high school a few, ahem, years ago. My brother lives just down the road. Surprised he didn't say anything to me.

What're they gonna do with that lot - more housing in sprawling suburbia, I guess....

[CMC #37]

I also like the Jimmy! I've been wheelin' with some very trick Samurais out in the Sierras - hubby and I used to belong to a Jeep club. We have a '62 CJ-5 he built from the ground up about 15 years ago. It has a Buick 231 V6, TH 350, GM power steering, a custom narrowed Dana 44 up front with a Powertrax and stock Dana 44 in the back with a Lock-right. It also has 4 wheel disc brakes and a shower (essentially a catalytic converter on board the engine compartment that is heated with radiator water). It has a hose attachment for a bucket of water or a nearby stream and you are set to go. We even built a PVC pipe shower booth for folks and charged them a buck a shower for gas! Very popular on the trail. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This year for a Christmas/anniversary present, today, (22 years!) I gave hubby a home theater. He put it together himself and got the "battlestation" operational about two days ago. Everyone should have one of these!

[teamDFL]

Since the government denied my wife financial aid for her graduate degree, it looks like I will be waiting longer than anticipated for my very own f-body. So along with the usual annual track prep, this year the Focus will be getting ready for a run at the Maxton Mile with ECTA. All fear 140 front-wheel horsepower of fury! Maybe I can break 100 mph. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[SS2win]

Thanks for the compliments on "Green Thing", my 72Jimmy... I'm spending today massaging and assembling a fresh engine for it. I sunk it for the 4th and last time (on that engine anyway) a couple weeks ago. It had been running with a miss and now it sounds like a valve is stuck. Here's a pic for your enjoyment. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

(IMG:http://www.redtintop.com/sub.JPG)

[sgarnett]

Great pic! It looks like a fun day (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

What does a stuck/sticking valve sound like?

[ESPCamaro]

I also like the Jimmy! I've been wheelin' with some very trick Samurais out in the Sierras - hubby and I used to belong to a Jeep club. We have a '62 CJ-5 he built from the ground up about 15 years ago. It has a Buick 231 V6, TH 350, GM power steering, a custom narrowed Dana 44 up front with a Powertrax and stock Dana 44 in the back with a Lock-right. It also has 4 wheel disc brakes and a shower (essentially a catalytic converter on board the engine compartment that is heated with radiator water). It has a hose attachment for a bucket of water or a nearby stream and you are set to go. We even built a PVC pipe shower booth for folks and charged them a buck a shower for gas! Very popular on the trail. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This year for a Christmas/anniversary present, today, (22 years!) I gave hubby a home theater. He put it together himself and got the "battlestation" operational about two days ago. Everyone should have one of these!

Sounds like nice Jeep. You CA folks have all the nice wheeling spots it seems.

There are some decent places on this side of the country but I'll just have to drive quite a bit.

I picked a Samurai because it is light enough to haul with a 1/2 ton truck (which I don't have anymore).

It'll be tough to turn one into a "family wheeler" but I think I can do it. I definately wanted to add an underhood shower. Except I was at Cabales a few days ago and noticed that Coleman makes a tent type shower with solar warmed water bladder. This shower combined with an underhood shower would be neat for those backwoods camps

I might skip right to Toyota axles, 35's and lots of sheetmetal trim along with a spring over and soft springs.

[CMC #37]

You'll like the shower Lon... your upgrade plans sound great! I remember one day in particular during a snow run we came across some Samurais with some big fat tires. They did better than the Jeeps in the snow because they are so light.

[rmackintosh]

Thanks for the compliments on "Green Thing", my 72Jimmy... I'm spending today massaging and assembling a fresh engine for it. I sunk it for the 4th and last time (on that engine anyway) a couple weeks ago. It had been running with a miss and now it sounds like a valve is stuck. Here's a pic for your enjoyment. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

(IMG:http://www.redtintop.com/sub.JPG)

....4th time eh?...you DO realize those things don't float riiiiight?

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif) :leaving:

[SS2win]

Great pic! It looks like a fun day (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

What does a stuck/sticking valve sound like?

There is a loud poping / pumping sound coming from the snorkle breather. It reminds me of when I ran my old 4 stroke dirt bike without the exhaust pipe - you could hear the piston going up and down in the cylinder. In this case there is a backfire. Drove it home like that too

CMC #37, I ment to mention earlier that your Jeep sounds like a real nice ride.

[CMC #37]

CMC #37, I ment to mention earlier that your Jeep sounds like a real nice ride.

Thank you, I am quite proud of hubby's project. You should have seen the swiss cheese it was before, it even had a Dana 70 dually rear. Had beige latex house paint on it too! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
We have this run the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC) puts on each summer called the Sierra Trek, a run up the Fordyce Creek to Meadow Lake (Lake Tahoe area). There are three deep water crossings and seven winch hills, I think you would like it! I have driven that three times. We also did the Rubicon many times and never had a serious problem. We have used the Warn winch a few times and on-board welder to help out a buddy a time or two. There's nothing like being on the trail! :drive:

Good luck with the motor. Our Jeep has been out of action because of a valve clearance problem from the machine shop we worked with. Can't wait to hear that motor again. Not many folks can recognize the very unique sound of a free-flowing, balanced and blueprinted 231 Buick!

[rpoz-29]

Judging from the picture, I would have thought you "floated" a valve! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[lt1aggie]

My roomate and I are swapping in his Briggs "5hp" engine in my go cart. It's got dry film lubricants and thermal barrier coating on the inside which allows it run extremely lean. It just about doubled the torque to 12 ft lbs on the dyno and increased the horsepower a few points back around 5 (only dynoed 3 at stock even though it was supposed to be 5). This along with the torque converter should allow the cart to wind up pretty well. Hopefully it will be in and running by Wednesday.

I know, I know, nothing fancy, but hey, we're poor college students.

[tjZ28]

My next goof-off project:
(IMG:http://www.norcal-ls1.com/multimedia/data/500/296BjoKPYG205oLYcevCRF2zNVIgRnL.jpg)
My plans are just get it running right and beat the ever loving snot outta it. If I can get it making enough power that it won't just be in everybody's way (it's a complete dog right now, but it's also running poorly on 6 year old gas) I'm thinking of RallyXing it. Oh, it's a '79 Subi 4wd Wagon for those that don't know. 1600cc flat foor and true 4wd (not AWD).

As for Samis, they can be LOTS of fun and will go so much further than you can imagine w/ some basic mods. Here's how I used to wheels (friend's rig, I was full-time spotter/right-hand-man)...
(IMG:http://www.norcal-ls1.com/multimedia/data/500/296samijimmy2.jpg)
We made it up the "famous" Tank Traps in Hollister Hills on probably the smallest tires ever: 30x10.5 SSRs. Mods are pretty basic: Spring Over, CJ Front Springs, 4" Lift Sami Rear Springs, 4:1 T-Case gears, Lincoln Locker in the back, still open in the front, "Revolver" Shackles and really, that's about it.

-TJ

[lt1aggie]

My next goof-off project:
(IMG:http://www.norcal-ls1.com/multimedia/data/500/296BjoKPYG205oLYcevCRF2zNVIgRnL.jpg)
My plans are just get it running right and beat the ever loving snot outta it. If I can get it making enough power that it won't just be in everybody's way (it's a complete dog right now, but it's also running poorly on 6 year old gas) I'm thinking of RallyXing it. Oh, it's a '79 Subi 4wd Wagon for those that don't know. 1600cc flat foor and true 4wd (not AWD).


-TJ

That looks hella fun! Good luck.

[CMC #37]

I haven't been to Holister Hills because we have the simulated Rubicon up here at Prairie City. I helped work on the sluicebox part with some Jeep clubs. One day I went out there with some folks from the Jeep club and got bored running the hill section forwards, did it backwards a few times....caught ^%$! with the hubby when I got home and mentioned that part! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Good lookin' Samurai TJ! I think Thunderhill may be running a rallycross school if you are interested in that, you should check with 'em. Looks fun!

[SuperCricket]

(IMG:http://teejaded.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album07/STA70012.sized.jpg)

This is the reason I haven't been on the boards this winter. Trying to get the new tow vehicle running so we can truck out to the Big Bend Open Road race in West Texas this April.

It's a 1978 Grumman Step van. 350/TH-400, headers, 14-bolt rear end, etc.

Oh and can't forget the tripple marine battery electrical system, 1,750 watt inverter and mini fridge.

[pknowles]

What're they gonna do with that lot - more housing in sprawling suburbia, I guess....

You guessed correctly. Bill Wilcom got something like $9-13 million for all that land that 75-80 was on. I grew up 4 miles from 75-80.

[ESPCamaro]

As for Samis, they can be LOTS of fun and will go so much further than you can imagine w/ some basic mods. Here's how I used to wheels (friend's rig, I was full-time spotter/right-hand-man)...

We made it up the "famous" Tank Traps in Hollister Hills on probably the smallest tires ever: 30x10.5 SSRs. Mods are pretty basic: Spring Over, CJ Front Springs, 4" Lift Sami Rear Springs, 4:1 T-Case gears, Lincoln Locker in the back, still open in the front, "Revolver" Shackles and really, that's about it.

-TJ

That's close to the plan I have for mine. I will probably skip the spring over and maybe just add some National lift springs, rears at all 4's. And revolver shackles.
And then trim, trim, trim. It's got 31x10.5's with just a shackle lift.

I figure if I hack away enough sheet metal that when I do a spring over w/yota axles, I should fit 35's or 36's. And hopefully it will be wide enough w/those axles to not be super top heavy.

[DanO]

Well.. this is one of the older cars but one of my fav's (the new one is under construction currently)


The design..
(IMG:http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5431/swfsae7zm.jpg)

And the only one i made that had underground roll centers... Worked nicely though.
(IMG:http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5586/p10100211pl.jpg)
Yup.. thats a MoTeC M800.. can you say Wireless Telemetry!!
-F1 style automated shifting
- Modified block w/ dry sump
-1st place cooling design
-many other fun 'gadgets'
(IMG:http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9021/p10100226ip.jpg)

Woo.. Carbon Fiber Seat!!
(IMG:http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/4435/picture1780sp.jpg)

In the process..
(IMG:http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/9260/00005395tx.jpg)

Stock Vs. Titanium... you pick..
(IMG:http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/821/awsomenessatanangle4as.jpg)

Just another day of Porting...
(IMG:http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5627/portingissomuchfun7wj.jpg)

This post has been edited by DanO: Jan 6 2006, 04:19 AM

[slowTA]

I wish NJIT had Formula instead of just the Baja. I think they did it around 2000 or so, I could go on for hours about the school and advisor...

Took us less than 4 months to build it, http://www.vilipend.com/~frrax/view_album....bumName=album36

[DanO]

I wish NJIT had Formula instead of just the Baja. I think they did it around 2000 or so, I could go on for hours about the school and advisor...

Took us less than 4 months to build it, http://www.vilipend.com/~frrax/view_album....bumName=album36

oh, trust me.. i know how you feel about the advisor.. We didnt even see ours more than 2x the entire year...

Seems to be a common theme for these competitions..

[DanO]

As for Samis, they can be LOTS of fun and will go so much further than you can imagine w/ some basic mods. Here's how I used to wheels (friend's rig, I was full-time spotter/right-hand-man)...
(IMG:http://www.norcal-ls1.com/multimedia/data/500/296samijimmy2.jpg)

Now THAT looks like fun.. and in a Suzuki as well!!! hahah

[SS2win]

sami's rule.. and man do I wish we had some hills here. I can only dream of hollister hills and rubicon, moab, etc... anyone out there need a linux admin / network engineer? I would seriously consider moving for some more serious wheeling... lol.

[NataSS Inc]

I recntly picked up a 97 volvo 850 T5. Absolutely love the little thing. It has lots of potential. Up until I got sick and had surgery I was tinkering with it. Put new samco turbo hoses in it, better clamps, and did a complete service to it.

I plan on putting in a trans cooler since its an auto and tossing in a manual boost controller and turbo timer. Its alot quicker than I thought it was going to be and it spooks the shit out of the little ricers. It deperately needs better suspension though. Its been a while since I have driven a car that I can actually feel the body roll around a corner. so I am looking at a set of bilstiens and eibachs to put on it.

the after market for these cars is about piss poor though. There is next to nothing available as far as bolt ons that will net you anything at the wheels. Tuning is another nightmare. Unless you go all out with a motech there isnt much you can do other than take it in the shorts for 400.00 and send it to someplace back east and HOPE they can flash a decent tune on it with your mod list you provide them. I am trying to get a mega squirt set up on my car but just havent had the time to tinker with it yet.

[ws6transam]

oh, trust me.. i know how you feel about the advisor.. We didnt even see ours more than 2x the entire year...

Seems to be a common theme for these competitions..

DanO.
what college are you attending with a FSAE team?

I was the SAE chapter secretary and FSAE electrical design group leader for the Michigan State team back in 1994 and 1995. Back then, we built our car in an old abandoned industrial freezer, and got our parts machined at the local community college. Then in 1995 the dean finally came on board when he saw us receive some five figure sponsorships from places like Ford and Eaton. That year Kawasaki also helped out by shipping us a complete Ninja ZX-6 for use as a powertrain. MSU then got in on the project and started a new student design center for MSU SAE in 1996. The new students started designing a new car, but the 1995 chassis got reused for '96. I wanted to buy that darned car so bad but the 1997 team scrapped it and left the carcass outside to rust.

So much for preservation of history! One of these days I ought to pop in and see what they are doing, it's only five miles from here. The FSAE teams are so much more professional looking than when we participated. However the dedication and emotional intensity are still the same.

[slowTA]

My school is full of political crap when it comes to SAE. Originally it was the the mechanical engineering building (where it should be) but the faculty didn't want to have anything to do with us. Then there was a SMALL fuel spill on the formula car and they kicked us out. We had Aero for a few years and the baja for at least 6 or 8 years. We were lucky since the civil engineering department had some extra space and their machinist is a rock crawler and mud drag racer.

For 2 years we had 2 baja teams, I was on the second team both years and captain for the second. Everytime we had contact with the advisor he had something negative to tell us. Like 'you should have gone to see student council for $500 by now' or 'you don't have enough money to order anything'. But get this.. some department of the school gave both teams $2,000 each, but we couldn't touch it untill we raised our own 2 grand. We couldn't start building until February because of this. No wonder we couldn't compete because we had NO time for testing. Broken transmission the day we left, the another 3 times in Ohio.

All the time he was under pressure from the dean to get good results at the competition... FINALLY. But the advisor can't stand up for himself and figured it would be best to kill off the second team. He made EVERYTHING difficult for us. We had to use my dad's truck to tow a rental trailer out there. We had 1 room for 6 people.

The whole time we're being told how the civil bridge contest participants had their own rooms, got a school vehicle to tote the bridge around, yada yada yada.

All in all it's a great opportunity but depressing at the same time. The second team's captain for the first year wouldn't listen to anyone because he rode dirt bikes and was the most stuborn person you would ever want to meet. We also built the car in his dad's garage because there was tension between him and the other team... should have been our first clue things were going to suck. So when I was captain we decided to pull him off of the e-mail list and cut up the car.

Now the car I built last year is halfway dissassembled and someone kicked the side panel in. The old cars just don't last or go to a good home. It is a shame, but I'm not that interested in playing in the dirt to do anything with the Baja.

[ws6transam]

That's really too bad.
When I joined SAE in late 1993 there were only five of us that were actually student members. Then in 1994 we grew to twelve students witha budget of $5000. Then, after the "old guard"graduated, we decided to make a real go of it and proposed a budget of $65,000. We attended all of the high school orientation classes, and brought our cars into the school to show them off. We made up trifold brochures and handed them to any student we could grab. Then, when September came, we posted our meeting times all over the engineering building. That year we got the largest membership increase in the nation, and went from twelve to fifty students in one leap. It was tough, but then we recruited the college of business for marketing students and brought them in as members. We recruited TV video production students to help us make a two-minute promotional video. In the end, we got MSU to dollar match our fundraising up to $10,000 and within two weeks, Ford responded by sending us $10,000 to spend on the project. Kawasaki sent us a whole motorcycle. Ciba Geigy sent us composites. Autoair Composites let us use their autoclaves. Someone sent us upright castings. Someone else donated all our Chromoly tubing. Ford let us use their proprietary intake analysis software.

It all started out of pure enthusiasm by five or six students, and if you aren't getting anywhere with your advisor, ask him what's wrong. If that doesnt work, go talk to the dean. Keep asking for resources. At one point, we needed machine time at the machine shop and MSU didnt have any available for us to use. So, we approached Lansing Community College about using their shop. Once we had their permission, we approached the dean of MSU's mech. engineering program, and told him that because MSU didnt have any machine shop for student engineering projects, we were forced to make LCC an official sponsor of the MSU car. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Heh, that didnt sit too well and the next school year we found ourselves with a student run machine shop!

[slowTA]

That's the way is should be done. We started by trying to join the first team and they were pretty uptight about making the team too big. The new team, when I was captain, started off that way but we had to concentrate on building at this point. After that we were combined with the first team and their uptight attitudes.

Before the advisor really pissed me off in a series of e-mails I said I would work on the swing arm as my senior project. Now that the design is done I don't even care if they use it or not. I finally got some kind of credit for all my work on the baja, I just want to graduate and concentrate on the autocrosser.

I swear almost anything would piss off this advisor, my co-captain someone in the ME department for money and said that the IE made parts for us, dean gave us something, alumni tossed in a few hundred, and 2 days later he wasn't captain anymore and I was ordered to get someone else to represent the team for his meeting. Well I was working full time and he didn't even respond to my e-mail asking for another meeting time so I could attend.

The sad part is that he is one of the better professors at the school and after taking a class with him you would think he'd be the best SAE advisor. Guess that shows how bad the rest of the professors are.

[Blainefab]

Just finished the cage on this 2004 STi :

(IMG:http://members.cruzio.com/~ablaine/sticage1.jpg)

(IMG:http://members.cruzio.com/~ablaine/sticage2.jpg)

(IMG:http://members.cruzio.com/~ablaine/sticage3.jpg)

[slowTA]

WOW... there has to be more driver's room now than stock! So when are you moving to the other coast to do my simple 4 pt?

[Teutonic Speedra...]

WOW... there has to be more driver's room now than stock! So when are you moving to the other coast to do my simple 4 pt?

Yeah....Blainefab East Coast! I'd be having you build me a cage. Instead I have to try and talk my buddy into doing it. I know it's not going to be high on his list although I know he is more than capable.